Sex Therapy for Sexual Dysfunction

Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer

When there are sex problems, there are psychological issues involved. That's where a good sex therapist can help.

Bob became increasingly embarrassed as he talked about his problem with premature ejaculation. He claimed that can only 'last' for two minutes and felt that he was not much of a man. His 'problem' has kept him from dating.

Sally was beside herself with fear as she harshly castigated herself for not being able to achieve orgasm. She feared she would lose her husband because of her 'condition.'

Most sexual dysfunction occurs because of faulty beliefs and attitudes about sexuality, poor habits, ignorance, and early experiences. There are some sexual dysfunctions that are precipitated by physiological, biological, or chemical factors. However, all physiological dysfunctions have a psychological component. When men are unable to obtain or maintain an erection, whether from physiological or psychological causes, they feel inferior, less manly. When a woman is unable to reach orgasm she feels less feminine. Therefore, in all cases of sexual dysfunction it is necessary to attend to the psychological aspects of the difficulty and what it means to the individual.

Physiological factors. Some of the more common non-psychological precipitants of sexual dysfunction include hormonal imbalance, medications, neurological impairment, substance abuse (even nicotine dependence can cause erectile dysfunction), alcohol dependency, physiological disorders, and even vitamin deficiency. Certain illnesses and medications can have side effects that affect sexual functioning including impotence and increased or decreased libido.

Many people prefer to think of only a medical approach to sexual dysfunction, since it is more acceptable to one's self-image to believe that there is an organic basis for the dysfunction. Even in those instances when there is a recognizable medical condition affecting sexual functioning, the psychological component cannot be overlooked. We all have varying psychological reactions to physical illness or impairment. This psychological reaction can exacerbate the physical problem. This is especially true for infertility problems. Most people who have difficulty conceiving a child choose to investigate the medical aspects to the exclusion of the psychological aspects. Yet we all know of many cases where a couple after years of frequenting the fertility clinics to no avail, finally decide to adopt a child only to conceive a few months afterward. This can suggest that psychological factors were at play.

Psychological factors.. Most sexual dysfunctions have a psychosocial etiology. Dr. Helen Singer Kaplan states, "In a general sense we see the immediate causes of the sexual dysfunctions as arising from an anti-erotic environment created by the couple which is destructive to the sexuality of one or both. An ambiance of openness and trust allows the partners to abandon themselves fully to the erotic experience."

She lists four specific sources of anxiety and defenses against full sexual enjoyment: 1) Avoidance of or failure to engage in sexual behavior which is exciting and stimulating to both partners. 2) Fear of failure, exacerbated by pressure to perform, and overconcern about pleasing one's partner rooted in fears of rejection. 3) A tendency to erect defenses against erotic pleasure. 4) Failure to communicate openly and without guilt and defensiveness about feelings, wishes and responses. Psychological reactions to traumatic events also affect sexual functioning. For example, child molestation, rape, abuse all can contribute to later sexual dysfunction.

Common Sexual Dysfunctions

The following are the most common forms of sexual dysfunction. They are all treatable with a high probability of success.

Male Dysfunctions

Inhibited Sexual Desire. Inhibited sexual desire or response refers to the lack of desire for erotic sexual contact. In almost all cases when there is a lack of sexual desire, the underlying causes are psychological in nature. Avoidance of sexual contact because of fears of rejection, failure, criticism, feelings of embarrassment or awkwardness, body image concerns, performance anxiety, anger towards a partner or women in general, lack of attraction towards a partner, all play a part in reducing or eliminating the sexual response. Most men are too uncomfortable to talk to their partner or anyone else about these issues, preferring to simply avoid sex or attribute their lack of sexual appetite to stress, worries, etc. Some of these men have a very active fantasy life and prefer the solitude of masturbation to the intimacy of sexual relations.

Premature Ejaculation. Premature ejaculation is the most common dysfunction and it is the easiest to treat. Masters and Johnson define premature ejaculation as the inability to delay ejaculation long enough for the woman to orgasm fifty percent of the time. (If the woman is not able to have an orgasm for reasons other than the rapid ejaculation of her partner, this definition does not apply.) Other therapists define premature ejaculation as the inability to delay ejaculation for thirty-seconds to a minute after the penis enters the vagina.